Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Whitchurch (Away)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (104) beat Whitchurch (97) by 7 runs
Batting: AJ Smith 18.
Bowling: T. Weaver 5-21, A. Leather 4-23.
Bridgnorth 1st XI's bowlers turned in a fantastic performance away at Whitchurch on Saturday as the Cricket Meadow men picked up a crucial 7 run win.
Batting first Bridgnorth's batsmen again misfired as a succession of wickets meant the away team could only muster a meagre 104 all out off 45 overs. Only four players managed to reach double figures with opener AJ Smith top-scoring with 18.
With their backs to the wall Bridgnorth new they had to produce something special but as the home side progressed to 46-2 the game looked all but over. However, opening bowler Tom Weaver had read a different script as he put together an excellent spell of swing bowling, taking 5-21 off 14 overs to leave Whitchurch reeling. Andy Leather, in a supporting role from the other end, was equally effective as his 4-23 saw the stunned hosts capitulate to just 97 all out as Bridgnorth pulled out a morale boosting seven run win.
This win lifts Bridgnorth out of the relegation zone for the first time in a number of weeks although a lot of hard work still lies ahead.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Kenilworth Wardens (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (198-9) had a winning draw with Kenilworth Wardens (163-9)
Batting: A. O'Connor 25, E. Mullard 53, G. Edwards 79.
Bowling: S. Caine 3-34, S. Pitt 2-41.
In a rain interrupted match Bridgnorth 2nd XI picked up the lion's share of the points as they registered a winning draw at home to Kenilworth.
Put into bat first the home side looked to make the most of a decent batting surface as the openers put on 49 before Andy O'Connor departed for 25. This brought together captain Eddie Mullard and vice-captain Glenn Edwards and not for the first time this year the pair put on a fine stand with 124 runs being added in 23 overs before Mullard fell for an aggressive 53. The cornerstone of the innings, Edwards, followed soon after for a well grafted 79 but this sparked a collapse as Bridgnorth fell from 173-1 to 198-9 in a rain-reduced 46 overs.
In reply Kenilworth looked to be well in the game and with the draw points being decided on run rate the game was finely balanced. From a position of strength at 104-2 the visitors started to lose wickets in the face of some tight bowling by Steve Caine (3-34) and Simon Pitt (2-41), but the real difference maker was Matt Martin who turned in a boundary-fielding masterclass, poaching three very good catches. Ultimately the time lost due to the weather cost both teams as Kenilworth ended on 163-9 off 36 overs, just one run short of themselves getting a winning draw.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Grove (Home)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (101) lost to Grove (104-9) by 1 wicket
Batting: L. Brown 23, K. Osborne 25, T. Weston 22.
Bowling: L. Brown 4-20, T. Weston 3-12, J. Shaw 2-31.
Bridgnorth 3rd XI agonisingly went down by 1 wicket at home to Shrewsbury-based side Grove on Saturday.
Bridgnorth wielded the willow first but their batsmen, who have fired in previous weeks, slipped a gear and they fell to 101 all out. Captain Liam Brown (23), Kieran Osborne (25) and Tom Weston (22) were in the runs.
In reply Bridgnorth battled all the way to the end but couldn't find quite enough as the visitors crawled over the line on 104-9 to nick the points with a 1-wicket victory. The home side's bowlers all showed plenty of heart with Brown (4-20) continuing his excellent season, and finding willing support from youngsters Tom Weston (3-12) and Jimmy Shaw (2-31).
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 1st XI v Brewood (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (216-3) beat Brewood (212-8) by 7 wickets
Batting: P. Dogra 126*, C. Goodwin-Tindall 28.
Bowling: S. Pitt 3-33, M. MacPherson-Lees 2-25.
Bridgnorth Sunday 1st XI got back to winning ways with a 7-wicket win at home to Brewood.
The visitors won the toss and got off to a flying start on 137-1 off 26 overs before Bridgnorth's spinners slowed their progress with Mark MacPherson-Lees (2-25) leading the way. In his second spell seamer Simon Pitt (3-33) kept the tail quiet as Brewood quiet as Brewood finished with 212-8 off 40 overs.
Bridgnorth's run chase was all about club professional Paras Dogra as he oozed class in compiling his maiden club century with 126 not out. Supporting roles came from Conor Goodwin-Tindall (28), Matt Martin (18*), Ian Gregory (15) and all-rounder Mark Weston (19). The home side cruised past the winning post on 216-3 with 3 overs and seven wickets to spare.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Brewood (Away)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (155-9) beat Brewood (92) by 63 runs
Batting: R. Hughes 59, T. Weston 20, F. Broad 23.
Bowling: A. Thomas 3-15, C. Wallace 2-18, J. Jones 2-3.
Bridgnorth Sunday 2nd XI picked up their first victory of 2008 as they went to Brewood and thrashed the hosts by 63 runs.
Bridgnorth batted first and compiled a challenging 155-9 off their 40 overs, with keeper Rob Hughes making a welcome return to form with 59. Other valuable contributions came from Tom Weston (20) and Freddie Broad (23).
The Brewood reply was never allowed to get going as opening bowler Alex Thomas ended his own dry spell with the ball by posting the frugal figure of 3-15 off 8 overs. Cam Wallace (2-18) added valuable support and Josh Jones (2-3) finished the innings off in style as the home side were all out for 92.
